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Rally in SF in Response to Rash of Police Shootings

Hundreds of people took the streets of San Francisco Friday to protest recent police shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota. Jean Elle reports. (Published Friday, July 8, 2016)

Protests are sweeping the United States on the heels of two police-involved shootings in as many days and the gunning down of five police officers in Dallas, and hundreds made their voices heard Friday in San Francisco.

The Black Lives Matter rally kicked off at Justin Herman Plaza and outraged demonstrators marched to a well-guarded City Hall, demanding change. Emotions were high at the protest, which was organized in response to the shooting deaths of Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota.

"Stop killing black people," protester Imani Brown said. "We're human beings. We matter just as much as anyone else. The murders of black women's sons should matter as much as the murder of white women's sons."

The city’s acting Police Chief Toney Chaplin spoke to young hopefuls at the Police Activities League graduation, less than a day after peaceful protestors in Texas ran for cover as a gunman fired and hit 11 officers and one civilian.

Rally in SF in Response to Rash of Police Shootings

People plan to rally Friday evening at Justin Herman Plaza and march to San Francisco City Hall, in response to the shooting deaths of Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota. Christie Smith reports.

(Published Friday, July 8, 2016)

“This is a challenging time for law enforcement across the nation,” he said.

At Friday’s demonstration, officers planned to “facilitate the first amendment rights of the protestors” and ensure their “safe movement wherever they go,” Chaplin said. After the shooting at a similar protest, however, Chaplin stationed police officers on rooftops and the ground.

When asked about officer safety, the chief said staffing will be similar to other demonstrations.